EEG Patient Safety and Ethics 5

Question 1

A patient undergoing a prolonged EEG develops a stage IV pressure ulcer under a scalp electrode. This outcome best represents a failure in which ethical principle?

Accepted Answer

Non-maleficence

Answer

Non-maleficence — the duty to avoid causing harm — is violated when preventable pressure injuries occur due to inadequate electrode site monitoring.

Question 2

During a routine outpatient EEG, a patient discloses they are currently experiencing active suicidal ideation. What is the technologist's first action?

Accepted Answer

Immediately alert clinical staff or a supervisor and ensure the patient is not left alone

Answer

Active suicidal ideation is a psychiatric emergency requiring immediate notification of clinical staff and continuous patient supervision.

Question 3

Which scenario represents an appropriate use of physical restraint during a pediatric EEG?

Accepted Answer

Using a papoose board with parental consent and physician order when medically necessary and less restrictive methods have failed

Answer

Restraint requires a physician order, parental consent, documented failure of alternatives, and must be the least restrictive option necessary.

Question 4

An EEG technologist is asked by a pharmaceutical company representative to share de-identified EEG recordings for research. What must occur before any sharing?

Accepted Answer

Written approval from the facility's IRB or privacy officer and a data use agreement must be in place

Answer

Sharing patient data for research, even de-identified, requires institutional oversight through an IRB and a formal data use agreement.

Question 5

A patient who speaks only Spanish arrives for an EEG and the technologist speaks only English. Which approach best upholds informed consent standards?

Accepted Answer

Arrange a qualified medical interpreter (in person, phone, or video) before obtaining consent

Answer

Informed consent requires that the patient fully understands the procedure, which necessitates a qualified medical interpreter — not a family member — to avoid conflict of interest and ensure accuracy.

EEG - Electroencephalography Practice Test

EEG - Electroencephalography Practice Test

EEG Patient Safety and Ethics 5